Study

ADOT invites input on Riggs Road Traffic Interchange at SR 347

ADOT invites input on Riggs Road Traffic Interchange at SR 347

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT invites input on Riggs Road Traffic Interchange at SR 347

ADOT invites input on Riggs Road Traffic Interchange at SR 347

June 5, 2023

Study is looking at options to reduce congestion, enhance safety

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has launched a study to improve traffic flow and safety at State Route 347 and Riggs Road and is seeking the public’s input on possible options for a new interchange at this location.    

ADOT is evaluating a range of interchange alternatives to separate traffic on the two roadways on a new bridge. Options are detailed on the study website at tinyurl.com/riggsrdsr347. ADOT is conducting the study in partnership with the Gila River Indian Community and the Maricopa Association of Governments, and in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

You can provide input through June 30 in one of the following ways:

The study is expected to continue through summer of 2025. It will identify the preferred alternative in a Design Concept Report and environmental document. If a new build alternative is selected, the project is anticipated to advertise for construction in late 2026.

There will be additional opportunities to provide input, including public meetings, as the project progresses. 

This study follows a scoping study conducted by MAG on the SR 347 Corridor that identified the need for a grade-separated interchange at Riggs Road. 

More information on the current study is available at tinyurl.com/riggsrdsr347.

ADOT to hold open house on port of entry road study in Douglas

ADOT to hold open house on port of entry road study in Douglas

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT to hold open house on port of entry road study in Douglas

ADOT to hold open house on port of entry road study in Douglas

April 25, 2023

In-person meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 27

DOUGLAS  – The Arizona Department of Transportation is holding an in-person open house Thursday, April 27, to share information on a study evaluating alternatives for a connector road from the new Douglas International Port of Entry to State Route 80.

ADOT is conducting the study to recommend a preferred future roadway location and design that can safely accommodate commercial traffic, as there is no current paved roadway in place. 

The study area is about 4.5 miles west of Douglas and the existing Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry in Douglas. The area is in unincorporated Cochise County and bounded by SR 80 to the north, the international border with Mexico to the south, Brooks Road to the west and James Ranch Road to the east. Current land uses in the area include commercial, residential and vacant land.

The open house will provide an overview of the study and an opportunity for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to ask questions and provide comments.

The open house is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Douglas Visitor Center, 345 16th St. in Douglas. A brief presentation is scheduled from 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. 

The open house materials will be posted online for those who cannot attend the meeting. For more information, as well as to submit questions or comments, please visit AZDOT.gov/DouglasIPOERoadStudy.

Help us develop a vision for two vital corridors in Flagstaff

Help us develop a vision for two vital corridors in Flagstaff

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Help us develop a vision for two vital corridors in Flagstaff

Help us develop a vision for two vital corridors in Flagstaff

By Ryan Harding / ADOT Communications
November 18, 2020

ADOT has been studying two important roadway corridors in the growing Flagstaff area and now we want your input.

ADOT is developing a master plan for Milton Road, also known as SR 89A, which is the primary road coming into Flagstaff as well as US 180, also known as Humphreys Street and Fort Valley Road. US 180 is the primary corridor to Arizona Snowbowl and other snow play areas. The highway is also an alternate route to SR 64 and the Grand Canyon.

The purpose of the master plan is to create a 20-year vision for two busy transportation corridors that addresses current and future safety, traffic congestion and transit issues by looking at different ways to improve traffic flow and safety and address transit needs.

ADOT is holding virtual public meetings this week on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in order to answer questions and get public input on these master plans.

The public is encouraged to visit azdot.gov/MiltonCorridorMasterPlan and azdot.gov/US180CorridorMasterPlan to submit comments via an online survey. All comments on these studies will need to be received by Dec. 4. 

Questions and comments may also be submitted by emailing [email protected] and [email protected]. Members of the public can also submit comments by phone by calling 602-522-7777.
 

ADOT seeks public input for Milton, US 180 corridor studies in Flagstaff

ADOT seeks public input for Milton, US 180 corridor studies in Flagstaff

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT seeks public input for Milton, US 180 corridor studies in Flagstaff

ADOT seeks public input for Milton, US 180 corridor studies in Flagstaff

November 17, 2020

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is hosting virtual public meetings this week to gather public input on the master plans for the Milton Road and US 180 corridors in Flagstaff.

The public meeting for the Milton Road Corridor Master Plan will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Residents can join the meeting by visiting azdot.gov/MiltonCorridorMasterPlan

The public meeting for the US 180 Corridor Master Plan will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Residents can join the meeting by visiting azdot.gov/US180CorridorMasterPlan

The public is encouraged to use the above websites to submit comments via an online survey. All comments on these studies will need to be received by Dec. 4. Questions and comments may also be submitted by emailing [email protected] and [email protected]. Members of the public can also submit comments by phone by calling 602-522-7777.

The purpose of the corridor master plans, which are being developed concurrently with one another, is to create a 20-year vision for the two busy transportation corridors that address current and future safety, traffic congestion and transit issues by evaluating previously recommended and newly introduced alternatives. This includes a mix of alternatives that use and maintain the existing roadways as well as alternatives that would require widening the roadways.

Milton Road, also known as SR 89A, is the primary corridor coming into Flagstaff. US 180, locally known as Humphreys Street and Fort Valley Road, is the primary corridor to Arizona Snowbowl and other snow play areas. The highway is also an alternate route to SR 64 and the Grand Canyon.

For more information on these studies, visit azdot.gov/MiltonCorridorMasterPlan and azdot.gov/US180CorridorMasterPlan.

We want your help to improve the Grand/35th avenues intersection

We want your help to improve the Grand/35th avenues intersection

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We want your help to improve the Grand/35th avenues intersection

We want your help to improve the Grand/35th avenues intersection

By Doug Nintzel / ADOT Communications
October 29, 2020

If you’re a driver whose travels include the intersection of Grand and 35th avenues in west Phoenix, or just someone who takes an interest in future transportation improvements across the Valley, ADOT is looking for your comments about potential upgrades along those often busy roadways.

Yes, that’s the intersection where Indian School Road also travels above on an overpass. The BNSF Railway tracks also parallels Grand Avenue (US 60) as part of an important commerce system that at times also impacts the movement of vehicle traffic.

It adds up to ADOT’s ongoing “Grand-35 Study” to determine what changes, if any, should be made at the intersection.

You can find out more by visiting ADOTGrand35Study.com. That also will provide you with a survey that includes an opportunity to give the study team valuable input as they work to complete the study over the next year or so.

What do you think? Should one of the roadways at Grand and 35th avenues be raised or lowered to help reduce congestion and enhance safety at the intersection? Would you support lowering or raising the railroad tracks? What about improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists?

The Grand-35 Study is scheduled to be finished in early 2022. If the study determines an alternative to build improvements at the intersection, design is expected to begin in 2022 with construction anticipated to begin in 2024. A planned project would be funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

Comments can be submitted through Friday, Nov. 6. In addition to the link above, your thoughts for the Grand-35 study team also can be sent via email to [email protected], by calling 602.474.3952 or by mail to ADOT Grand-35 Study, HDR Inc., 20 E. Thomas Rd., Suite 2500, Phoenix, AZ 85012.

Sonoran Corridor report available for review

Sonoran Corridor report available for review

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Sonoran Corridor report available for review

Sonoran Corridor report available for review

March 29, 2019

PHOENIX ‒ A report describing how the Arizona Department of Transportation reduced the potential routes for the proposed Sonoran Corridor from dozens of options to three recommended for further study, along with the no-build alternative, is now available for review and comment.

The Sonoran Corridor Draft Corridor Selection Report explains how factors such as growth, economic benefits, environmental impacts and feasibility contributed to identifying these alternatives in the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement.

Public comment on the report is invited through Monday, April 22. Public comment on a public meeting held March 7 in Tucson is invited through Sunday, April 7.

The Sonoran Corridor would connect Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 south of Tucson International Airport. The Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement, which started in May 2017, evaluates multiple 2,000-foot-wide corridors and the no-build option. A Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected in late 2019 with a preferred alternative for public review. A Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected by spring 2020.

The next phase would include a Tier 2 study to locate an approximately 400-foot-wide route within corridor identified as the preferred alternative. The timeline and funding for the Tier 2 study haven’t been identified.

ADOT has held four public meetings about the Sonoran Corridor over the past two years. Comments received at those meetings are included in the draft Corridor Selection Report and are being considered along with input from area businesses and governments, including Pima County and the cities of Tucson and Sahuarita.

To see the draft reports, visit azdot.gov/Sonoran Corridor. Click on the Documents tab to see the draft Corridor Selection Report, and click on the Alternatives tab to see a map of the three corridors that have been recommended for further study. A no-build option also remains under consideration.

The public can submit questions or comments in the following ways:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone:  The ADOT Bilingual Project Information Line: 855.712.8530 
  • Mail:  Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS Study Team c/o Joanna Bradley, 1221 S. Second Ave., Mail Drop T100, Tucson, AZ 85713

Study of I-10 improvements south of Valley takes major step forward

Study of I-10 improvements south of Valley takes major step forward

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Study of I-10 improvements south of Valley takes major step forward

Study of I-10 improvements south of Valley takes major step forward

February 28, 2019

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation and partner agencies are taking an essential step toward widening and other improvements along 23 miles of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande.

In collaboration with the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Gila River Indian Community, where this stretch is located, ADOT has issued a request for proposals for a design concept report and environmental study on adding a lane in each direction and improving existing interchanges.

The study, required for projects that receive federal funding, will have an accelerated timeline of 18 months when it launches later this year.

“Through this partnership advanced by the Maricopa Association of Governments in conjunction with the Gila River Indian Community, we are developing a vision and strategy to provide the capacity that I-10 needs today and tomorrow in this corridor,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “As ADOT has made significant investments to increase capacity between the state’s two largest metropolitan areas, we must respectfully work with all governments and citizens affected by plans for I-10.”

The Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional transportation-planning agency, has allocated about $65.5 million toward I-10 improvements in Maricopa County, $5.9 million of which is in ADOT’s current Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program for study, coordination and design of additional lanes. These funds are from the voter-approved Proposition 400 program, the dedicated transportation sales tax in Maricopa County.

In late 2019, after ADOT completes two widening projects underway between Earley Road and Interstate 8 in Casa Grande and between Eloy and Picacho, I-10 will be three lanes in each direction between State Route 387 near Casa Grande and Tucson. That will leave I-10 across the Gila River Indian Community, between Queen Creek Road and State Route 387, as the only remaining stretch with two lanes in each direction. That is the area this study will assess.

Widening I-10 across the Gila River Indian Community has been a longer-term ADOT priority requiring an agreement with tribal leaders and significant funding. While funding for initial improvements is tentatively planned for fiscal year 2023, the study will determine when construction would begin and establish the time frame for improvements.

ADOT is committed to identifying additional funding for I-10 improvements elsewhere in this Key Commerce Corridor.

I-17 improvements north of Phoenix coming, but safety depends on driver behavior

I-17 improvements north of Phoenix coming, but safety depends on driver behavior

I-17 101 traffic interchange

I-17 improvements north of Phoenix coming, but safety depends on driver behavior

I-17 improvements north of Phoenix coming, but safety depends on driver behavior

October 23, 2018

PHOENIX – As the Arizona Department of Transportation advances projects that will add capacity to Interstate 17 north of the Phoenix area, drivers can help improve safety and reduce delays today by avoiding speeding, aggressive driving, distraction from things like cellphones and other behaviors that lead to crashes.

The longest backups stemming from crashes occur most often on weekends, when many drivers take I-17 to and from Arizona’s high country.

“New lanes will play a role in improved safety, but driver behavior remains the key,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The reality is that a reduction in speeding, sudden lane changes and impaired driving would reduce crashes, closures and frustrating traffic backups along this corridor.”

ADOT is conducting an environmental and design concept study scheduled for completion by summer 2019. Initial construction of a third southbound I-17 lane between Black Canyon City and Anthem is planned in 2020.

The Maricopa Association of Governments, the Phoenix area’s metropolitan planning organization, has committed $50 million in its Regional Transportation plan in 2019 and 2020 for design work and the start of construction of the third I-17 lane extending south from Black Canyon City.

ADOT’s statewide construction program includes more than $100 million starting in 2021 to build I-17 “flex lanes” between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. Construction is expected to take two years.

speed-sign-65b
Flex lanes will operate as a separate two-lane system next to the existing I-17 southbound lanes between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point. Separated by barrier wall, the flex lanes will carry vehicles in one direction depending on traffic needs.

These new lanes will provide flexibility and additional traffic capacity at times when I-17 traffic is heaviest in one direction, including northbound on a Friday or southbound on a Sunday. The flex lanes, with gates or movable barriers at each end, also will help keep traffic moving if a crash or other incident has occurred on the steep, winding section of I-17 north of Black Canyon City.

Driver behavior is the leading factor in crashes along I-17 in the Black Canyon City region. An ADOT analysis conducted for a recent safety project showed that “speed too fast for conditions” was cited by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers in more than 40 percent of I-17 crashes in that area.

Keeping you in the loop on Loop 303 plans

Keeping you in the loop on Loop 303 plans

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Keeping you in the loop on Loop 303 plans

Keeping you in the loop on Loop 303 plans

July 5, 2018

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

We’ve been working to keep the public updated on the latest developments on a Loop 303 extension. We recently hosted an open house public hearing to gather comments on the draft environmental study on plans to extend Loop 303 south between Van Buren Street and the proposed State Route 30. This included sharing the video above.

Those who attended the event were able to review the study’s findings and learn about the preferred alternative for an alignment of Loop 303 south of Van Buren, formally known as Alternative 2C South. ADOT’s project team was on hand to answer questions.

Construction could begin as early as 2020, if the preferred alternative route is formally approved.

The Loop 303 Draft Environmental Assessment and Initial Design Concept Report are available online at azdot.gov/Loop303SouthOfVanBuren. The comment period ends July 15, 2018. Comments can be mailed by July 15 to ADOT Community Relations, ATTN: Loop 303 Study, 1655 W. Jackson Street, MD 126F, Phoenix AZ 85007, or emailed to [email protected].

ADOT seeks input in White Mountains region transportation study

ADOT seeks input in White Mountains region transportation study

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT seeks input in White Mountains region transportation study

ADOT seeks input in White Mountains region transportation study

May 23, 2018

PHOENIX – Whether you live in the Show Low area or visit the region to escape the heat, the Arizona Department of Transportation along with Show Low and other White Mountains communities want to know how you get around.

ADOT is administering a transportation study for southern Navajo and Apache counties that will evaluate the current transportation infrastructure in the region and make project recommendations over the next 20 years. These projects may involve roads, bike lanes, transit routes, pedestrian trails or anything that will improve mobility within the region for residents and visitors.

Area residents and those who own summer homes or visit the area frequently are encouraged to provide their input by completing an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/SNAC_Plan.

Representatives of the transportation study team will also have a booth at the upcoming Show Low Days festival June 1-3 with surveys people can fill out.

All comments must be submitted by Saturday, June 16.

The southern Navajo and Apache County region began this regional transportation plan update due to the surge in population growth and economic development that is placing a huge burden on the existing infrastructure.

The study region includes Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and unincorporated areas of southern Navajo and Apache counties, including the communities of Concho and Vernon.